Senegalese Navy Intercepts Boats Carrying Over ​400 Undocumented ​Immigrants

The Senegalese Navy successfully ⁣intercepted two⁤ boats carrying more than 400 undocumented immigrants attempting to reach the Canary Islands in Spain, according to the Navy’s press service.

A total of 421 undocumented immigrants, ⁣including 20 children, were on board the two​ canoes. However, details regarding the⁤ operation, including the location of ⁢the interception and the nationality of the migrants, were not disclosed.

This recent interception occurred just ​a day after a⁢ tragic incident ​in which​ a boat carrying 200 migrants sank approximately 4 ‍kilometers off the ⁣Senegalese coast while en route to the Canary ‍Islands. So far, six bodies have been recovered, and search efforts are ongoing to locate ​the⁤ missing individuals.

Since August, the Senegalese authorities have been working closely with the army to ⁣patrol areas where canoes loaded with undocumented immigrants⁣ frequently ⁤depart. As a result, ⁢over 1,000 people​ suspected ‌of ​attempting to reach EU territory have been apprehended.

According to recent statistics, more than 22,000⁤ undocumented immigrants have‌ arrived in the Canary Islands from West Africa in ​the⁢ first ‌seven and a‍ half months of this ‌year, significantly ⁢surpassing the 9,800 individuals ⁤who arrived during the same period ‌in 2023.

By Judicaël ZOHOUN, September 11, 2024